Pilot Study of the DRD3, GHRL, FTO, LEPR, INSIG2, GSTP1, and ABCB1 Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in Schizophrenic Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract—Many individuals with schizophrenia also suffer from metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disroders associated with a heavy burden of disease, as well as with premature death of patients. This study investigated the expression of 7 genes potentially important for the development of metabolic syndrome. QuantiGene Plex 2.0 technology was used to measure how 7 studied genes (DRD3, GHRL, FTO, LEPR, INSIG2, GSTP1, and ABCB1 (MDR1)) were expressed in leukocytes in 60 recently admitted patients with schizophrenia who had been on treatment with antipsychotic drugs. The preliminary results of our study show a change in the expression of the FTO gene in schizophrenic males with metabolic disorders, however, further studies are needed to determine the role of disturbances in the expression of this gene in the development of the metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia.